Volleyball: Limestone’s Boyer up for St. Ambrose scholarship

Marissa Boyer of Limestone signed to play volleyball at St. Ambrose on Wednesday.

The senior and four-year starting setter also qualified for the opportunity to be a St. Ambrose scholar. In order to qualify, Boyer has to have a minimum of a 30 on the ACT and a 4.0 GPA. She was also required to write an essay following the instructions below:

“Ambrose Scholarship applicants demonstrate significant involvement in extracurricular activities and have achieved recognition on a variety of different levels. With this in mind, in 500 words or less compose an essay that discusses your defining characteristics, distinguished accomplishments, or a particular aspiration that identifies you as a deserving candidate for the Ambrose Scholar full tuition scholarship.

In identifying your unique attribute(s), please also describe how St. Ambrose University in particular will complement your character and goals.”

St. Ambrose then awards the scholarship to 10 applicants.

Below is Boyer’s essay:

“I turned on the evening news and there was LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, and in the number five slot, there I was, Marissa Boyer, on ESPN’s Top Ten Plays of the Day. Although that was a special memory, I realize that many things had to happen for that moment to align: a lot of hard work, my teammates and coaches, and a timely camera man. As I reflect on my high school career and who I have become, I can formulate something similar to that national broadcast feature – I will call it “Marissa Boyer’s Top Four Plays of High School.”

Highlight number one is my academic and athletic career at Limestone Community High School. I have earned valedictorian status of my graduating class of 240 students, maintained a 4.0 grade point average on a non-weighted scale (while taking enriched courses), and all the while participated in volleyball, basketball, and softball each year. I have received many awards, both skill and leadership based. I was a part of National Honor Society and was chosen to be an Illinois State Scholar. Being a student-athlete has provided me with gifted time management skills. Balancing schoolwork and sports has helped me realize the importance of being well organized and maintaining a strong work ethic. Because academics and athletics are my number one, my dream is to attend St. Ambrose where I can continue to excel in academics and be a vital member of the volleyball program.

Highlight number two deals with my passion for helping others. Last year, our school and community raised $59,000 for Easter Seals, a non-profit organization that helps children with special needs. Through this service and volunteer work, I have learned to focus on the needs of others before the wants of my own. I have made a connection with an organization that I believe will be a part of my life forever.

Highlight number three involves my work with Student Council. Student Council has enhanced my administrative and leadership skills, by putting me in positions where I have organized large events and made decisions for groups of people. For example, this year, I organized an event that provided a Thanksgiving dinner to over 75 families in need throughout my community.
The final highlight is the realization of what I would like to do in the future. I believe St. Ambrose is a great fit for me, both academically and athletically. St. Ambrose has excellent nursing facilities, which will aid me in learning all there is to know about my field of study. My desire to become a nurse couples with my love of helping people.

Just like my worldwide highlight on ESPN, none of my accomplishments would have been possible without hard work, dedication, and the support of my family. Not only would this scholarship be a great honor, graduating from St. Ambrose with minimal debt would allow me to continue my education, serve others, and lead my peers into the future.”

Author: Adam Duvall

I've been a Journal Star sports reporter since March 2006. I am the lead preps reporter along with covering the volleyball, cross country, girls basketball and softball beats. My love for popcorn will often appear in my writing.
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